The Forrest City times., 1887-11-05
SET IN DIAMONDS.
By Charlotte Braeme. CHAPTER XLVII.
"Hov CAN IT POSSIBLY BE:p

The whole household rose one June morning quite unconscious of the un- usual surprise awaiting them.
 Mir. Barton, the detective, with one Of his force, was expected that day with the jewels.
 The duke wished to see them-wish- ed to compare notes with the list he had of them. Then he said they should bs taken better care of, and placed in greater security; he would never suffer this fright again. He added that when he came to consider the quantity Of valuable jewelry owned by ditfe- ladies, carelessly kept, he ws-.as there was not more robbo-' es 'o1Sieu
 It was noon when N- partan ro.o,,., oakclifie; the noor of a warw hri,b, sunshlny day, t,e water IiIlis. .ia,,s an rno Siear' o ep breast of the Herons'
 ooi, .n laburnums shone liko points G ye-.ow flame amongst tha green of
 trees, the beautifully plumed lllacs perfumed the warm air, tho jubilant song Of happy birds, tho bloom of red roses, the odor from the clover meod. ows made Oakclifie a paradise that day.
 Lord Stair was in the park, and when the detective drove up to the hall door he followed hipi.
 Mr. Barton was full of importance when Ee announced his errand, and shS"ed the sturdy strong box in Which the jewels lay. They had been brought down under the charge of that active, vigllant officer.
 "The stolen jewels, my lord" he said, "and right glad am to bring them back"
 The duke came; and hls words of thanks were neither few nor hurried. He was honestly delighted.
 VI should like the duchess to be present when the cases are opened" he said. "Let the box be carried to the white drawing-room, we will ask her to go there"
 Then before they left the library the Duke of Meath told MT. Barton the story he had heard from Jennie Dane.
 The detective listened dumbfounded, his face fell, his eyes lost their expres- sion of triumphant sagacity. lie re- mained perfectly silent for some min utes, then he said
 Il must confess, your grace, that was on the wrong track, always thought Mrs. Grey was the center and soul of the plot"
 Il think so still," said the duke. ''She was the aecomplice of this Bent icJ, thelc can pe no uouDt. Out Why should he have troubled himself to make love to that enfortuneate gisi when he had an ally like Mrs. Grey in the houseYn
 ''l do not quite see th+,at myself y re. piled Mr. Barton. James Bentley Is a clever man, hr-.t he is caught at iast.p
 ou " 4h take glass of sherry, and then ssi Join us, Mir. Barton," said the E.e.
 The white drawlrg-room, as it was the fashion to call one of the most charming apartments at Oakcliife, was beautiful room; three long window, opened on to . smooth, green lawns where some fine syringa-trees stood. The room was furnished in white and gold, and the sun shining on the pie lures and statutes, oh the white hyacinths, on the costly decorations and exquisite, works of art, produced most charming effect: it was as though the whole room lay in flood of amber light. Merguerite Lady Stair had loved this room, and because the sun shone always so bright and warm upon the Tindo WIS she liked the white byacinths to stand there; the sweet odor of flowers filled the room, even as 1t had done seventeen years ago. The Duchess Of Meath had been sit- ting there for some time when her husband entered the room with Lord Stair and Mir. Barton. Tho sun never shone on fairer picture, all the June roses together were-not so sweet. She wore a cool morning of amber and white, creamy golden rose at her white throat, and one in her belt.
 She looked up At her husband with smile when he entered the room, Lord Stair went up to her and kissed her; he loved this fajr young daughter of his, better every day.
 "The jewels are here" she said. "We ought to be grateful; how many hundreds of people lose as much and never regain it l'
 She looked at the stroug box stand Ing on the table, and no che dreamed what mystery that strong box held. The cover upon the table was of white velvet and gold. Some exquisite hOwess were arranged in pretty epergne, two or three fine engrayings lay amibst beautifully bound books, and in the midst stood the strong box holding the famous Meath diamonds. ''I must admit.n said Mr. Barton, 'that this is most marvellous recovery of stolen goods, 1 do not remember a similar case in the whole course of my experience, I do not think there will x be found one jewel missing" "The booty was 10 valuable for sale just at present. said the duke. The q hue and cry was too strong for them. The most ilnpudent thief in the world 4 would hardly have dared to offer one q of those jewels for sale just yet.n f Then the little group gathered round X the table, the duchess, with her shin ing robes of amber and white standing $ by the side of Lord Stair. The duke was near Mir. Barton, silent group q for some few minutes, while Mir. Bar VI ton opened the box, Remember .aat ' the sun was shining, just as it has # shone when tine portrait set ia diamonds vas found in Mrs. Grey's box, with q. \ N arm, livid, brilliant, searching light VI Mir. Barton took out the cases, the Nduke opening them and comparing *rhem with the list. soon the table was half filed with shining resplendent 2 gems, opals, rnbics, pearls, saphires, X Brooches. earrings, rings, bracelets, 4and then the famous Meath diamonds.
 The sun seemed to catch them, to Nshine on them, until it seemed as #though flames of fire shone round the q table. Suddenly Nr. Barton cried: 74 Why, what is this ?'
 # He drew from the strong box @ <4small parcel wrapped in white paper #Dn 1t waa written;
 4 sFor my daughter Ethel, when she s old enough 10 know her fathers faee."
 '# He passed it to the duke, who read <the words with little cry of sur xsprise,
 "why. Ethel thls is the paper you had lost.n
 s& Sine in turn took 1t and read 1T. zk 'sl aui glad to have this" she cried, <F 'the only h1t of my mothers hand Hrtlng left to me.
 # Then, uith another cry of wonder, Almost ot fear, sue opened the packet. zihere it lay, tue sunlight centered, as
 were, ia che diamonds, catching hre